Pilot Remembers John Glenn Before He Became An Astronaut

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) — Before becoming an astronaut, John Glenn was a fighter pilot in World War II and the Korean War.

Harold Gibson remembers John Glenn, before Glenn became a national hero.

"It feels like it was yesterday," Gibson said. "I flew with the 39th fighter squadron, he was with the 25th fighter squadron."

Six decades ago, in 1953, both served as fighter pilots in the Korean War, sometimes on the same missions.

"We had 48 airplanes airborne," Glenn said. "I was one of them, John was one of them."

Gibson only stopped flying a couple years ago, trading in the cockpit for time on the couch watching over his grandkids. He is 98 years old.

Going back 60 years, Gibson recalls Glenn as a "people person"—always engaging.

"He was a busy fellow emotionally," Gibson said. "You see people stand back and not do anything. John was up amongst everybody."

Gibson and Glenn piloted F-86 Sabercats against Russian-made Migs during the Korean War.

Photos show Glenn next to his plane after surviving enemy fire.

Gibson says Glenn knew more about planes than any other pilot he flew with in Korea.

"I guess I was not surprised he became an astronaut, because he was oriented that direction," Gibson said. Machinery, mechanics and he understood engineering."

Piloting combat missions with a man who would become the first American to orbit the Earth.

Harold Gibson flew alongside an American hero in the making.

Then watched along with the world, as John Glenn, soared above it.